Wilmington, Ohio – This week’s Wilmington Sunday Spotlight shines on the delightful nine-year-old KWPN mare, Jadina (Canabis Z x Tordina). With Kevin McCarthy (IRE) in the irons throughout the 2023 Winter in the Midwest indoors series, the talented young mare has become a crowd favorite with her lovely expression and impressive scope. Jadina, owned by Sweet Oak Farm, has worked her way up the ranks in the open jumper classes at WEC Ohio and has found numerous double clears and podium placings, most recently earning third place in the $30,000 Grand Prix of Winter Classic 11. We caught up with Keely O’Hara and Kevin McCarthy to learn more about their favorite barn mate!
WEC: When did Kevin first get the ride on Jadina?
Kevin got Jadina aka “Jill” over the summer of 2022. Shane [Sweetnam] wanted to put more miles on her and get her in the ring more. He knew that Kevin would be at WEC Ohio throughout the winter and spring series, so he sent her to us to put the mileage on her here. Shane wanted her to step up to the grands prix and thought this would be a great place for her to do it.
WEC: Tell us more about her personality in the barn.
Jill is an angel to be around! She has a very sweet and outgoing personality in the barn. She loves attention and affection, but she is never loud or obnoxious about it. She loves her turnout and spending time in the paddock on her off days at the farm in Kentucky.
WEC: How do you prep her for bigger classes like the grand prix?
On a normal grand prix day, Kevin will take her out for a light hack and a hand walk throughout the day. She gets a hot bath after her flat and then she gets braided. She just gets to chill out and relax in her stall before the big class! On her off days, she goes in the equine cold therapy spa at home.
WEC: What does a typical day in Jill’s life look like?
Jill always gets fed first thing at 7:15 in the morning. Weather permitting, she will go out in her paddock at home until 11am. When she comes in from the field, she will either get a hack or have a jump school in the middle of the day. Before dinner, she gets the cold therapy spa and then eats around 4:30pm. She always gets a side of carrots with her night hay with her friends in the barn around 9pm!
WEC: If Jill could be any other animal, what would she be?
If Jill could be any other animal, she would be a Panda! She is so sweet and kind and loves to sleep and eat, just like Kevin!
Thank you, Keely, for taking the time to talk with us about Jadina! We wish your team continued success with this incredible mare and look forward to her bright future.